Crackdown on pirate radio stations in South Africa

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has shut down a number of community-run radio stations across the country.
These radio stations were broadcasting without a valid licence, which classes them as  “pirate” radio stations.

The National Community Radio Forum (NCRF) – a member-run group advocating for community radio – released a statement which criticised ICASA’s decision to shut down community radios stations.

“The Central Executive Committee (CEC) has noted that this is the second onslaught on the community radio sector, where over 40 stations have
either been shut down or threatened to be shut down,” said NCRF general secretary Thabang Pusoyabone.

“The real threat to the community radio sector is that it has become easier for the state to close community media projects. That is risky for media freedom and diversity in South Africa.”

The NCRF demanded that ICASA rescind its decision to shut down these radio stations and that the government spend at least 30% of its advertising budget to support community media.
Read the full story at

https://mybroadband.co.za/news/broadcasting/324282-crackdown-on-pirate-radio-stations-in-south-africa.html
• Our thanks to Mike Terry for the above information